Sunday, November 27, 2011

My cup of coffee

Let’s start saying that often Italian words are misspelled abroad, the image above is missing an f but I have chosen to use it anyway, to make a point, of courseCaffèwould be the right word, as the others you will find below in Italic, always often misspelled.

A great cup of coffee is perfect at any time, an occasion to invite a few friends over in a rainy afternoon, a coupe de thèatre at the end of a formal dinner, any moment of the day is perfect: a hearty cup of coffee or cappuccino for breakfast, or an espresso after lunch or dinner.

A few curiosities about coffee in Italy:
I mentioned cappuccino… in Italy is served only in the morning, if you ask for it in the afternoon they know you are a tourist…but they know you are one anyway, so go for it when you wish! Another tip for a tourist: pick the busiest coffee bar you can see near you, go to the till to pay and just say “Espresso per favore” (or you can simply say “Un Caffè” and they know you want an espresso, no long explanations needed of low fat, tall, medium roasted with caramel and on and on… ) and still standing up grab your cup, pour some sugar into your 30 ml of espresso, stir briefly and drink at once, leave your cup and saucer on the counter and out you go to enjoy the day.

If you want something similar to the American coffee ask for caffe’ lungo, which has much more caffeine. In Italy you always see people standing elbow to elbow with others while drinking coffee or aperitivo, a way of recharging batteries in a fast way (even if we invented Slow Food movement, but that is another story…). In the best bars, especially in the South you can often be served a small glass of chilled water on the side, which cleans the palate and enhances the coffee flavor.

Caffelatte is the usual breakfast for kids, lots of milk and just a small quantity of coffee, my mother used to beat for us an egg yolk with a spoon of sugar and pour it on top of the caffelatte, it made a rich, thick cream and it was delicious.

Grown ups, after meals like at times to have a caffe’ corretto, a way of modify an espresso witha drop of liqueur, usually strong grappa or the sweeter sambuca.

Caffe’ macchiato is instead an espresso with a drop of hot milk.

At home, when you entertain, to serve coffee the Italian way you will need the espresso cups with saucers, in a set or mix and match vintage colored pieces and coffee spoons, smaller and different than teaspoons and napkins also need to be small, like the ones used at cocktail parties, and preferably linen or cotton.

If possible serve on the side a selection of sugar, granulated or in cubes, raw or white ultrafine, and of course a small jug of milk is necessary if your guests want to add a drop of it and make it a macchiato.

If you serve coffee after dinner it is preferable to leave the table and sit in the living room, when after dinner drinks and a light assortment of friandise can end beautifully a great dinner (or save a mediocre one, when recipes did not behave as you wished!) you’ll then have an assortment of petit four, chocolate truffles or some small meringues.

In the afternoon, to enrich it further you could provide some whipped cream to make it Viennese style or in summer try to add a teaspoon of ice cream, to achieve a delicious creamy taste.

In any case coffee chosen must be of the best quality and always fresh, buy the best coffee grinder you can afford and ground your own just before brewing so the aroma is at its best, use fresh, clean, cold water and make only the quantity you are going to drink, coffee should never (ever) be reheated and the taste deteriorates when left in the pot.

“Let’s meet for coffee” is a way of entertaining in style, with not much effort

8 comments:

After reading your article....or more correctly just after STARTING to read your article I have a very strong sense of the smell and taste of the Caffe in all the varieties you described! You paint a great picture and tell a great story! Thanks for enlightening us to the REAL Italian way!

And the French, Portuguese and Spanish call it Café, the Germans, Swiss and Austrians Kaffee, the Dutch Koffie, the Swedes, Norwegian and Danes Kaffe, the Greek Kafés, the Czech Káva, the Poles Kawa, the Hungarians Kávé and the Bulgarians Kafe. But perhaps we should call it Kahve since the Turks brought coffee to Europe.

Either way, I love how each country in Europe has their own interpretations. But I agree with you, the Italians do it best! In Austria people linger in Cafés for hours over one cup of coffee served with a glass of water. The Italians don't waste any time, drinking while standing, a quick chat and on they go. Personally I love the purity of a caffè ristretto, all the caffeine in one quick shot.

Frankly I was quite disappointed about what they called coffee here in the US when I first arrived. But now it finally has been elevated to the high standards it deserves.

Great piece Albarosa! Thanks for reminding everyone to grind coffee fresh and to never reheat a cup. I not so fondly remember the smell of microwaved coffee.

When you come to San Francisco I want to take you to Mavelous where they brew the best artisanal coffees in six different ways.

"The Italian Way"

This blog is about interior design and art and I will present an Italian version of them, with new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas. At times I will be just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things". Follow me on this virtual journey to my country.

The world of Downton Abbey I confess: I never saw one episode of Downton Abbey until a few weeks ago when I started following the ...

Beware

If you need my help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email. It will be an investment in happiness at home.A well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

BRILLANTE DESIGN TRAVEL blog

Brillante fans say

Having grown up in Austria I love your European perspective blended with North-American flair. Also, your photos are gorgeous! I look forward to learning more.

Claudia Juestel, Interior designer.

Albarosa, you are the best museum guide I have ever known. You have so much knowledge about the arts that it was mind boggling. I am certainly more educated because of our time together and for that I also thank you. Ciao, Tobi.

Tobi Fairley, Interior designer and blogger.

I am really enjoying your blog entries. I am so glad you are bringing such a refreshing side to the blogosphere.

Ivan Meade, Interior designer, artist and blogger.

I like the way your blog treats me to wonderful surprises I might otherwise never see. I love your taste - a wonderful poet mix of grand and humble, elegant and unpredictable and sadly it is something we don't get to see often in North America where "purchasing power" often outstrips taste. Albarosa, there is always so much to learn from your blog. Brava.

Peg Steley, world traveler, style arbiter and blogger

I just found your beautiful blog and website through Vicente Wolf. Your photography is stunning.

Studio Judith, artist and blogger

We spent an hour looking through the wonderful images at Brillante Home Decor, an exciting design blog that we stumbled across. The author has an incredible eye for finding juxtapositions between the modern and classical styles.

Opaline Blog

Italy, design, an edge, a softness, a sensitivity to all things shows up in your blog.

Love your blog, your posts are informative and you are only making mornings brighter.

Tareq, designer, artist, blogger.

Italian Style Goddess Albarosa can help you live a beautiful life, she does design and art consulting and has a gallery of her stunning photography on her website. Brillante is a great name for her blog , she is exceptional, bright and one of the best!

Michelle Morelan, Interior designer, artist and blogger.

Albarosa, you are the arbiter of Italian taste and style. Kudos to you and thanks for sharing your fabulous aesthetic!